Engine dehydrator

ABSTRACT

A device to reduce corrosion which occurs in an internal combustion engine during long periods of non-use. Inactivity allows atmospheric moisture to collect on internal engine surfaces producing rust, and in the engine oil producing slug. This invention provides a means of reducing the presence of this moisture by pressurizing the internal engine areas with low humidity air.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Internal combustion engines that are not operated for longperiods of time are subject to corrosion on there internal parts due tomoisture in the atmosphere. The inner parts of the engine can be exposedto the moist atmosphere through openings such as the exhaust pipe, theair intake, and the crankcase breather. Changes in atmospheric pressure,temperature and relative humidity allow moist air to migrate into theengine through these openings. Temperature changes then allow thismoisture to condense on the internal engine surfaces, and collect on theinner working parts of the engine. This moisture gradually breaks downthe protective film of oil, and over time allows rust to form on theengines working surfaces. Water also collects in the bottom of thecrankcase where it intermingles with the engine oil, producing slug.This process is so common, and so detrimental on the engines life, thatto counter its effects, most engine manufacturers recommend that allengines be started at least weekly and allowed to heat up to a highenough temperature to boil off the water that has collected. Preventingthe formation of water in the engine increases its useful life, reducesmaintenance cost, and improves reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention provides a means of reducing the amount ofmoisture that can build up in an internal combustion engine, andtherefore the amount of damage caused by moisture. The inventionconsists of a small pump used to create a flow of air. This air is thenpassed through a dehumidifying agent to reduce the humidity level in theair. This low moisture air is then introduced into the engine throughone or more of the existing engine ports that are open to theatmosphere. A small rate of air flow is maintained by the pump toconstantly bathe the engine parts in the low humidity atmosphere. Thispositive pressure created by the pump also keeps the high moistureoutside air from entering the engine. The positive pump pressure allowsthe dry air to propagate through all the minute openings in the engine,and gradually cover all the internal working surfaces and parts.Maintaining a due point of the dehumidified air is below the minimumtemperature of the environment insures that moisture never condenses onany of the engine surfaces, and corrosion is minimized.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0003] The attached Figure shows the arrangement of the parts that makeup a system as envisioned by this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0004] The attached Figure shows the parts that make up the preferredembodiment. A low pressure electrically powered pump (1) is mounted to abase structure. This pump has a static pressure in the range of 1 to 3psi, and a flow rate in the range of 1 to 3 CFH of air. This flow rateand pressure is sufficient to keep the internal parts of the enginebathed with dry air, and to allow the air to migrate to all parts of theengine, and the pressure is low enough to prevent damage to enginerotating seals etc. The air then passes through a chemical dryer (2)which removes the moisture. These chemical dryers are capable ofreducing the due point of the air to temperatures greater than −40degrees F., the lowest temperatures anticipated for engine storage. Thedry air is then introduced into the internal structure of the engine.This is accomplished by placing a tube directly into the engine crankcase breather(4). The tube and breather are sealed to minimize airleakage. Low moisture air bathes all of the internal engine parts in thecrank case (7). Since the pressure is slightly higher than atmospheric,the dry air will migrate past the piston rings, and through the ring endgaps, into the combustion chamber bathing these surfaces with lowhumidity air also. On multi cylinder engines the air line can beinjected into the exhaust port (5), or the intake port (6) and will flowpast the piston rings (8) into all internal parts of the engine. Wheninjecting air into either the exhaust port (5) or the intake port (6),it is necessary to plug the unused port to prevent excessive leakage.Although the Fig shows multiple tubes connected to the engine, inpractice only any one of the tubes at a time is required to inject thenecessary air. Subjecting the internal structure of the engine to thelow humidity air reduces corrasion on the internal parts in the crankcase area (7) as well as the combustion area. While the preferredembodiment of the invention was been shown and described, it isunderstood that it is merely illustrative, and changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:
 1. A device which introduces low humidity air into the innerareas of an internal combustion engine, said device comprising: a sourceof pressurized air, a means of reducing the humidity of the air, and ameans of introducing this air into the inner areas of the engine.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the source of pressurized air is anelectrically powered pump.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the meansof reducing the humidity of the air is by a chemical drying agent. 4.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means of reducing the humidity ofthe air is by the use of a mechanical or electrical refrigerant device.5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means of introducing the airinto the inner areas of the engine is by 1 or more tubes that are placesinto the engine crank case breather, and/or the engine exhaust port,and/or the engine intake port.